What Level Am I?

We understand you want to feel confident that our coaching is a good fit for your level of surfing. Equally, it’s important for us to know you’re at the right level for our coaching programmes. We’ve created this handy guide to help you define your level and ensure your surfing ability is right for the coaching option you’re considering.

Note: you must be a competent swimmer and have basic ocean awareness.

Level Guide

LEVEL 1 – NOVICE

This is the minimum standard for surfers to join our coaching programmes. Novice surfers are more advanced than beginners who’ve just started surfing. They’ve surpassed the learn-to-surf stage and want the next level of coaching to help progress their surfing.

Here’s how to tell if you’re a novice surfer:

You’ve been surfing for 1-2 years

You can paddle through the white water

You can catch unbroken waves by yourself

You’re able to predict if a wave will be a right or a left

You have difficulty identifying the ideal peak positioning for take-off

Your pop-up is inconsistent and your foot positioning is a mixed bag

You can’t go left as well as you go right, or vice versa

According to your level, here’s what you can learn from our Level 1 Coaching Programmes:

Paddling techniques

Basic surfing equipment

Peak overview techniques and safety aspects

Surf etiquette

How to duck dive correctly

How to pop up on a surfboard correctly

Proper surf stance

How to read waves

How to position yourself best for unbroken waves

How to do basic turns

LEVEL 2 – INTERMEDIATE

Intermediate surfers can generate their own speed but it may not yet be optimised. They attempt manoeuvres (such as cutbacks or floaters) with some success but generally have technique or timing errors. These surfers have often reached a plateau where improvement has slowed or stopped.

According to your level, here’s what you can learn from our Level 2 Coaching Programmes:

Effectively generate more speed

Pick the right waves

Choose the right surfboard for specific conditions

Pick the right line for different types of waves

Improve your bottom turns

Improve your top turns

Perfect your stance

Use your rails correctly to turn

Improve your overall flow and ability to read waves

LEVEL 3 – ADVANCED

Advanced surfers can take off in a deeper, faster section of the wave and surf top to bottom. They can successfully complete committed manoeuvres (such as snaps and re-entries) in the critical part of the wave.

Here’s how to tell if you’re an advanced surfer:

You’ve been surfing for many years and have experience in a wide range of surfing conditions

You’re comfortable in solid 4-5ft surf

You ride high-performance short boards

You can take off deep behind the peak

You aim to surf top to bottom in the critical part of the wave

You can perform standard manoeuvres successfully most of the time

You are starting to try progressive manoeuvres with at least some success

According to your level, here’s what you can learn from our Level 3 Coaching Programmes:

Draw the best line to maximize your speed in all conditions

Position yourself for the ideal take off

Refine your equipment for peak performance

Pinpoint and improve any performance flaws in your surfing

Learn the correct techniques for successful progressive surfing

Get a full breakdown of any aspect of your surfing that needs attention